blackball
A negative vote cast against a candidate for admission to a club or organization, which prevents their membership. It also refers more broadly to the act of ostracizing or excluding someone from a social circle or group through a collective decision.
Exemplos
3 de 5He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.
He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.
According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.
According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.
He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.
He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.
Sinônimos
Antônimos
Família de palavras
Dica de memorização
Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.
Quiz rápido
The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: blackball
Exemplos
He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.
everydayHe was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.
According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.
formalAccording to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.
He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.
informalHe's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.
Sociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.
academicSociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.
The executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.
businessThe executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.
Sinônimos
Antônimos
Família de palavras
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
to cast a blackball
to cast a blackball
blackball rule
blackball rule
give someone the blackball
give someone the blackball
Frequentemente confundido com
A blacklist is a list of people/entities to be avoided; a blackball is the specific act or vote of rejection from a group.
Blackmail involves demanding money or favors in exchange for keeping secrets, unrelated to voting or exclusion.
Notas de uso
While originally referring to a physical ball used in secret voting, it is now often used metaphorically for any act of social or professional exclusion. It is most commonly seen in contexts involving elite clubs, professional organizations, or historical fiction.
Erros comuns
Learners often use 'blackball' as a synonym for 'bullying.' While they are related, blackballing is a specific form of exclusion from a group membership rather than general harassment.
Dica de memorização
Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.
Origem da palavra
Derived from the 18th-century practice in private clubs where members voted on applicants using white balls for approval and black balls for rejection.
Padrões gramaticais
Contexto cultural
The term is deeply rooted in the history of British and American 'Gentlemen's Clubs' where high social standing was required for entry.
Quiz rápido
The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: blackball
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